The New England Patriots are aiming to improve this season, depending in large part on the development of quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, who was selected third overall in last year’s draft, showed potential as a rookie despite playing for a struggling team. This year, with head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm and upgrades to the offensive lineup, expectations have increased for the 22-year-old player.
Evaluations of Maye’s preseason performance have been mixed. In the team’s recent 20-12 preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings, Greg A. Bedard provided a critical assessment. According to Bedard, “Overall, Maye was tentative throwing the ball, wasn’t seeing the field right, and his mechanics were poor on the high passes.”
Bedard went further by comparing Maye’s style to that of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Brett Favre. He wrote, “Maybe Maye is one of these quarterbacks, Brett Favre was similar, where they are too amped up for the game, and that causes issues (…) The playcallers had to adjust to that. Maye was asked about that after the game.”
Addressing his own performance after the game, Maye stated: “I don’t think we want to dial it down (…) We’re out there, we’re keeping score. We’re trying to win. I miss (wideout DeMario Douglas) high, same thing, he’s wide open sitting in a zone out there (…) So just (a) couple plays to have back, but the guys up front blocked well. It’s preseason, but these guys are still trying to come tackle us and stop us, so we’re trying to go down to score.”
The Patriots are scheduled for their final preseason game Thursday at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. As of Wednesday afternoon it had not been announced if Maye will play. The team’s regular-season opener will take place Sep. 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
